Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 7:22
And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said.
22. The magicians, however, did the same with their ‘secret arts’; and the Pharaoh remained unmoved. The expressions, as vv. 11b, 13 (P).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 22. And the magicians – did so] But if all the water in Egypt was turned into blood by Moses, where did the magicians get the water which they changed into blood? This question is answered in Ex 7:24. The Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink, and it seems that the water obtained by this means was not bloody like that in the river: on this water therefore the magicians might operate. Again, though a general commission was given to Moses, not only to turn the waters of the river (Nile) into blood, but also those of their streams, rivers, ponds, and pools; yet it seems pretty clear from Ex 7:20 that he did not proceed thus far, at least in the first instance; for it is there stated that only the waters of the river were turned into blood. Afterwards the plague doubtless became general. At the commencement therefore of this plague, the magicians might obtain other water to imitate the miracle; and it would not be difficult for them, by juggling tricks or the assistance of a familiar spirit, (for we must not abandon the possibility of this use,) to give it a bloody appearance, a fetid smell, and a bad taste. On either of these grounds there is no contradiction in the Mosaic account, though some have been very studious to find one.
The plague of the bloody waters may be considered as a display of retributive justice against the Egyptians, for the murderous decree which enacted that all the male children of the Israelites should be drowned in that river, the waters of which, so necessary to their support and life, were now rendered not only insalubrious but deadly, by being turned into blood. As it is well known that the Nile was a chief object of Egyptian idolatry, (See Clarke on Ex 7:15,) and that annually they sacrificed a girl, or as others say, both a boy and a girl, to this river, in gratitude for the benefits received from it, (Universal Hist., vol. i., p. 178, fol. edit.,) God might have designed this plague as a punishment for such cruelty: and the contempt poured upon this object of their adoration, by turning its waters into blood, and rendering them fetid and corrupt, must have had a direct tendency to correct their idolatrous notions, and lead them to acknowledge the power and authority of the true God.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
It was not difficult for the devil to convey blood speedily and unperceivably, and that in a great quantity, which might suffice to infect with a bloody colour those small parcels of water which were left for them to show their art in.
Quest. Whence could they have water, when all their waters were turned into blood?
Answ. It might be had, either,
1. By rain, which at that time God was pleased to send down either for this purpose, or to mitigate the extremity of the plague, or for other reasons known to him, though not to us. For that rain sometimes falls in Egypt, though not much nor often, is affirmed by ancient writers and late travellers. Or,
2. From Goshen, which was not far from the court, or from some houses of the Israelites, who dwelt amongst the Egyptians, as appears from many places of this history, and who were free from these plagues. See Exo 8:22; 9:26; 10:23; 12:13 &c. Or,
3. From the pits which they digged, Exo 7:24. Or,
4. From some branch of Nilus, or some vessels in their houses, whose waters were not yet changed; for this change might be wrought not suddenly, (which is not affirmed in this relation,) but by degrees, which God might so order for this very end, that the magicians might have matter for the trial of their experiment.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
22. And the magicians . . . did sowith their enchantments, &c.Little or no pure water couldbe procured, and therefore their imitation must have been on a smallscale the only drinkable water available being dug among thesands. It must have been on a sample or specimen of water dyed redwith some coloring matter. But it was sufficient to serve as apretext or command for the king to turn unmoved and go to his house.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments,…. Who were either in company with Pharaoh and his nobles, or were immediately sent for to try their art, and confront Moses and Aaron with it; and who very probably got a little water in a vessel, and by some juggling trick imposing upon, and deceiving the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, made it look like blood; and the devil might help them to a sufficient quantity of blood, and discolour the water with it, and make it appear as if it was blood, and which was a poor business; had they turned the bloody river into water again, they would have equalled the miracle of Moses and Aaron, and done some service to their country; but to deceive the sight of people, or to spoil a small quantity of water that was good, by mixing it with blood, was but a mean and unworthy action. Should it be asked from whence they had this water, when all was turned into blood? it may be answered, either from Goshen, as the Targum of Jonathan, the waters of the Hebrews not being affected with this plague: though Aben Ezra thinks they were; or from the sea, as Theodoret; but both these places were too far distant to fetch water from, in the time that Pharaoh stayed here before his return home: rather therefore this water was had from some habitation of the Israelites in the city near at hand, where Pharaoh lived, or was dug for immediately by the magicians, as in Ex 7:24 or it may be that all the waters were not immediately turned into blood, but successively and gradually, first the river, and then its streams, c. so that there might be near at hand a pool of water, not yet turned into blood, and a vessel of water might be fetched from it, on which they exercised their juggling art:
and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened: by seeing his magicians do what was similar to what Moses and Aaron had done and therefore concluded that it was not by the hand of God, but owing to a magic art they were masters of, as his magicians were:
neither did he hearken unto them; to Moses and Aaron, and what they said to him, to let the people go:
as the Lord had said; had before told he would not hearken to them, Ex 7:4.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
22. And the magicians of Egypt did so. A question arises as to how the magicians could imitate Moses, when the material to work upon no longer remained; for, if there were no water left in Egypt, its transmutation was impossible. But I have no doubt but that, for the purpose of their illusion, pure and clear waters appeared for a little while, and then were changed into blood. For, since the season for concluding the contests was not yet arrived, doubtless God opened a way for Himself, until they reached their end. The supposition of Augustine (89) is a forced one, that the magicians took the water, which remained pure and unaltered among the habitations of the Israelites. I should more willingly accept what he says, that, perhaps the waters were smitten by them at the same instant, so that in one place the power of God shone forth, in another their deception prevailed — although the solution I have given is very sufficient. Whether the change were true or imaginary, I dare not decide; except that it is more in accordance with the delusions of Satan, that the eyes of the wicked were deceived. Nor is there any necessity to philosophize more subtilely with Augustine, (90) that there is a seminal principle infused into all created things, so that one species may generate another. We may rather take our stand on the teaching of Paul, that God sends strong delusion to ensnare the unbelievers with lies, because they refuse to embrace the truth, (2Th 2:11😉 and I have already shewn from another passage of Moses, that, by the just judgment of God, false prophets perform signs and wonders. Moses, however, seems to hint that it was only an illusion, where he adds, “the magicians did so with their enchantments; ” as if the flashes, as of lightning, dazzled the eyes of the spectators; for this I have shewn to be the meaning of the word. Yet I do not question but that God altogether preserved His people from this calamity, so that these guests and strangers were supplied with the water of Egypt, whilst not a drop was left for the natives of the land. Thus was the king convicted of obstinacy, because he was not more attentive to observe this distinction; nay, he must have been doubly mad and foolish, to the destruction of himself and his kingdom, to set the delusion of the magicians against the power of God. But this often happens to the reprobate, that they rush eagerly as it were to their own destruction, whilst they are borne away by satanic impulse in opposition to God. Yet this was no slight temptation to God’s servants, to see the ministers of Satan almost rivaling themselves. For, if God chose to bear witness to their deliverance by miracles, — when they saw their enemies endued with a similar power, how could their own vocation be ratified and sure? And indeed it is probable that their faith was shaken by these machinations; yet I count it certain that it did not yield and give way; for, if Moses had been overcome by doubt, he would have confessed it, as it was his custom to do. But God opened their eyes, so that they should regard with contempt the tricks and deceptions of the magicians; besides, the divine vision had shone upon them together with the word, so that it was no marvel that, thus supported, they should repel, or sustain, every assault with firmness.
(89) Tom. 3., pars prima, p. 428; Quaestiones in Exodum, 23; and tom. 2., p. 463; Ep. 143., in Marcellum, where he offers another explanation also, viz., that their miracle might have been wrought upon salt water.
(90) Vol. 3, pt. 1, p. 427, quaes. 21. “Insunt enim corporeis rebus per omnia elementa mundi quaedam occultae seminariae rationes, quibus, eum data fuerit opportunitas temporalis, atque causalis, prorumpunt in species debitas suis modis, et finibus.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(22) The magicians . . . did so with their enchantments.The act of the magicians must have been a very poor imitation of the action of Moses and Aaron. The two brothers had turned into blood all the waters of the river, the canals, the pools or lakes, and the reservoirs. The magicians could not act on this large scale. They could only operate, or seem to operate, on some small quantity of water, obtained probably in the way noticed in Exo. 7:24. On this they succeeded, so far as to satisfy Pharaoh, who was probably easy to satisfy, and perhaps so far as to satisfy the courtiers. They turned the liquid of a red colour, or by sleight-of-hand substituted blood for it. The result was subjected to no test, and was perhaps not even done in the presence of any hostile witness. But it enabled the king to harden himself, and refuse the request of the brothers.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
22. And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened The two things are connected as cause and effect . He tried to believe that their pretended miracle was as real as Jehovah’s judgment “sign . ” They could as easily obtain water for their trick as could the Egyptians for drinking . If they had the power to which they pretended, their part, of course, was to turn back the water as it was before, and so relieve the distress of the Egyptians .
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
EXPOSITION
On the occurrence of the second sign and first plague, the magicians were again consulted; and, by means which it is impossible to do more the. conjecture, they produced a seeming transformation into blood of a certain quantity of water. The inquiry, whence they procured the water, is answered by Exo 7:24. That they actually turned water into blood is scarcely asserted in the vague “did so” of Exo 7:22. Perhaps they had recourse to sleight of hand, and made a substitution, like modem conjurors; perhaps they merely turned the water of a red colour. All that was necessary was to convince Pharaoh that they were able to do what Moses and Aaron had donethere was no one to watch, and test, and examine their pretended miracle, which consequently passed muster, though it may have been no more than a trick. Pharaoh, however, suffered himself to be convinced, and “turned and went into his house” without paying any attention to the marvel wrought (Exo 7:23).
Exo 7:22
The magicians of Egypt did so. They could not do what Moses and Aaron had donestretch out, that is, a rod over the Nile, and turn it and all its branches, and ponds, and pools, into blood, for this was already done. They could only show their skill upon some small quantity of water in a cup or other vessel. No doubt they produced some apparent change, which was accepted by Pharaoh as an equivalent to what had been effected by the Israelite chiefs, but which must have fallen far short of it. Pharaoh would not be a severe critic.
Exo 7:23
Pharaoh turnedi.e. “returned”quitted the river-hank, satisfied with what the magicians had done, and went back to the palace. Neither did he set his heart to this also. A better translation is that of Booth-royd”Nor did he lay even this to heart.” In the expression “even this” there is an allusion to the previous neglect of the first sign (Exo 7:13).
HOMILETICS
Exo 7:22, Exo 7:23
The power of Satan is with all deceivableness.
Satan himself, and wicked men, his instruments, are especially strong in the power of deception. Satan deceived Eve (1Ti 2:14). The lying spirit deceived Ahab (1Ki 22:22). Rebekah and Jacob together deceived Isaac. Gehazi deceived Naaman. Bad men are clever and plausible, and keensighted, and painstaking, and carefulthey lay their plans skilfully, and carry them out boldly, and are usually successful. The magicians had not only their own credit at stake, but also that of the priests, who were in league with them. They would not be very scrupulous what means they used, so that they could persuade the Pharaoh that whatever Moses and Aaron could do, they could do: and they succeeded. The “father of lies” no doubt suggested to them some clever method of seeming to perform the same sort of miracle as the Israelitish leaders had performedthey adopted it, and cheated the eyes of the beholders. When men wished to nip the religion of Christ in the bud, they called its Founder “that deceiver” (Mat 27:63). Deceit is a device of Satan. In nothing are the powers of light and darkness more contrasted than in the simpleness, the straightforward sincerity that characterises the former, and the crookedness, the tortuousness, the insincerity that goes with the latter. He who is “the Way” and “the Life,” is also “the Truth.” All who would have fellowship with him must “walk in truth.”
Fuente: The Complete Pulpit Commentary
Exo 7:22. And the magiciansdid so with their inchantments There was perhaps no great difficulty for the magicians to imitate this miracle; and, when all the water of the land was turned into blood, to make a change in some small quantity, sufficient to mock the credulity of Pharaoh’s hardened heart. The true test of their power, and of that of their gods, would have been, to have purified by a word these waters, which the Omnipotence of Jehovah had thus terribly corrupted. But God, as an expositor observes, by permitting these deluded men thus far to succeed in their opposition, took occasion to render their impious folly more conspicuous; since, by permitting them to change the waters into blood, and putting it out of their power to restore them to their former purity; and by permitting them to produce frogs which they were not able to remove; he only put it in their power to increase those plagues upon themselves and their countrymen, at the same time that they demonstrated their own inability. See Bishop Kidder. If we consider that the Nile was not only the prime source of great plenty, but the great object of Egyptian honour and adoration; that their country was watered wholly by it; and that they gloried particularly in it; we shall see the striking propriety of this miracle, as well as the extreme severity of the punishment. See Plutarch de Isid. & Osir. There is nothing, says Plutarch, which the Egyptians have in greater veneration than the Nile. It is also to be observed, that the Egyptians, in ancient times, used to sacrifice annually, at the opening of the canals, a girl to the Nile, as a tribute paid to that river, for all the benefits received from it; and, therefore, “this turning its waters into blood,” as Owen on Miracles remarks, “was a just and suitable punishment for such bloody cruelties.” See Univ. Hist. vol. 1: p. 413.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
2Ti 3:8 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 7:22 And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said.
Ver. 22. Did so with their enchantments. ] With their secret sleights and magic, they seemed to do so. See Exo 7:12 , for Pharaoh’s hardening.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
magicians . . . did so. Evidently from the water referred to in Exo 7:24.
hardened. See note on Exo 4:2.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
magicians: Exo 7:11, Exo 8:7, Exo 8:8, Jer 27:18, 2Ti 3:8
and Pharaoh’s: Exo 7:13
as the: Exo 7:3
Reciprocal: Gen 41:8 – the magicians of Egypt Exo 11:7 – a difference Deu 13:2 – General Pro 28:14 – but Dan 1:20 – the magicians Act 8:9 – used Act 19:19 – used 2Th 2:9 – and signs Rev 13:13 – he doeth
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Exo 7:22. The magicians did so By Gods permission; with their enchantments It seems they performed real miracles, for the text says expressly they did the same as Moses, and probably to their own surprise, as well as that of others, not knowing that any such effect would follow upon their using enchantments. Certainly they were ignorant of the extent of their own power, or rather, what Satan would or could do by them, and by what means these things came to pass, otherwise they would not have disgraced themselves, by making an attempt to bring forth lice, which they could not perform. What they did do served Pharaoh for an excuse not to set his heart to this also. And a poor excuse it was. Could they have turned the river of blood into water again, and by a word have purified those waters which the almighty power of God had rendered corrupt, they would have proved their power and done Pharaoh a signal favour. But the superiority of the miracles of Moses, even in these instances in which they vied with him, was incontestible: and they were compelled to acknowledge that what he did was by the finger of God. God, by permitting them to succeed thus far in their opposition, rendered their folly more conspicuous: for by suffering them to change the waters into blood, and putting it out of their power to restore them to their former purity; and by permitting them to produce frogs, which they were not able to remove, he only put it in their power to increase those plagues upon themselves and their countrymen at the same time that they demonstrated their own inability. Bishop Kidder.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
7:22 And the magicians of Egypt did {g} so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said.
(g) In outward appearance, after the seven days were ended.